Hitlist

Lucifer V delivers a masterclass in vintage occult rock, blending heavy Sabbath-inspired riffs with a dark, melodic atmosphere that feels both haunting and infectious. The album stands out for its impeccable 70s-style production and Johanna Sadonis’s commanding vocals, which anchor a collection of hook-driven anthems that refine the band’s retro-doom aesthetic.

Coming Up To Consciousness delivers a masterclass in atmospheric art-rock, blending the band’s signature ethereal vocal harmonies with cinematic textures and occasional surges of heavy, driving riffs. This introspective journey stands out for its meticulous production and the addition of legendary bassist Guy Pratt, creating a sophisticated balance between haunting melancholy and triumphant progressive soaring.

"Fearless" is a masterclass in modern progressive rock, blending Rush-inspired technical complexity with expansive, mystical soundscapes and soaring vocal performances. This ambitious record is notable for its virtuosic execution and the duo’s remarkable ability to revitalize grand-scale, cinematic rock while maintaining a fiercely original energy.

Pretty Vicious delivers a masterclass in modern glam rock, blending swaggering arena-ready anthems with a gritty, blues-infused undercurrent. The album is notable for its refined songwriting maturity, proving that The Struts can evolve their flamboyant sound into something more grounded without losing their signature high-octane charisma.

"Swimming Static" is a masterclass in atmospheric fusion, blending Katy Sargent’s soulful vocals with intricate cello melodies and pulsating electronic grooves to create a dreamlike yet danceable landscape. The album is notable for its polished production and organic textures, offering a sophisticated evolution of the band’s genre-blurring sound that feels both intimately introspective and vibrantly expansive.

"Ooh Rap I Ya" features a maximalist "sound lasagna" of shimmering synths and baggy 90s beats, evoking a dreamlike mood that balances euphoric optimism with melancholic depth. The album is notable for transcending George Clanton's vaporwave roots, delivering a high-fidelity pop experience that both indulges in and interrogates the power of nostalgia.

TREES is a masterclass in jazz-rap fusion, blending lush, organic instrumentation with an atmosphere that oscillates between soul-stirring introspection and vibrant rhythmic energy. Tom Scott’s sharp, poetic lyricism explores themes of lineage and personal growth, cementing the album as a profound and essential evolution in the contemporary hip-hop landscape.

"I Got Heaven" is a visceral explosion of punk energy and anthemic melodies that fearlessly navigates the intersections of religious trauma, desire, and bodily autonomy. Mannequin Pussy delivers their most ambitious work yet, masterfully oscillating between blistering hardcore outbursts and shimmering indie-pop to create a soundscape that feels both chaotic and profoundly liberating.

"Sweet Justice" is a masterclass in genre-fluidity, seamlessly blending punchy hip-hop with shimmering R&B and synth-pop to create an assertive, polished soundscape. The album captures a mood of hard-won empowerment and liberation, marking Tkay Maidza's definitive transition into a formidable, self-assured force in contemporary music.

"STONE" sheds the polished layers of Baroness's color-coded past, opting for a raw, earthy atmosphere that blends aggressive sludge riffs with introspective acoustic interludes. This self-produced effort marks a bold stylistic pivot, prioritizing visceral energy and psychedelic experimentation to solidify the band's evolution beyond their established progressive metal boundaries.